From the Richmond Dispatch, 5/14/1862, p. 2

River Defence—Exchange of Prisoners, &c.
– It being determined upon to release the large number of Federal
prisoners confined in Libby’s and other factories, Lieut. Turner, in
command of the Curtis Peck and Northampton, shipped some 860 of
those worthies, and at 2 A.M. Monday proceeded down the river
towards Newport News. Arriving abreast of Jamestown Island next day
at noon, a small shore battery of ours brought the vessels to, by
several well directed shells, which fell and exploded in
uncomfortable proximity to the prisoners. Being hailed by the U. S.
ship Port Royal, (Captain Rogers,) the mission of Lt. Turner was
explained – Rogers answering, that if the men were willing to march
overland to Newport News, they might be landed then and there. This
being objected to, the prisoners were conveyed to the wharf at
Newport News, and were received by Gen. Robinson, who, in the
absence of Gen. Mansfield, commanded with a force of some 2,500.
Messengers being dispatched to General Wool, at Fortress Monroe,
that General arrived, being accompanied by Gen. Mansfield. The
exchange was agreed upon, but owing to want of facilities and due
preparation, the formal disposition of the 860 Federals was not
effected until after hours of labor. Some 170 of our men—captured on
the Peninsula at various times—were transferred to the care of
Lieut. Turner, but the obligation of parole being explained to them
by Federal officers, most of them—principally of the 5th North
Carolina and 32d Virginia regiments—absolutely refused to take the
obligation, avowing their unwillingness to return to Richmond or to
fight for the Confederacy again! Some few Alabamians,
Mississippians, and Floridians acting similarly, likewise—one of
Latham’s North Carolina Battery absolutely refusing to return under
any circumstance or inducement! The total number of our men brought
up by Lieut. Turner was 219 non-commissioned officers and men,
besides eight commissioned officers. Eight surgeons, who volunteered
to stay with the wounded at Williamsburg, likewise availed
themselves of the opportunity to return within our lines, and say
that they were very scurvily treated at the hands of Dr. Cuyler, U.
S. A. Surgeon in Chief at the post, who added insult to injury by
claiming to be a Georgian.

On his way down, Lieut. Turner met the Monitor
below City Point, and her presence was loudly hailed with vociferous
cheers by the prisoners. The iron-clad Galena, Stevens’s Battery,
with the Monitor, and many gunboats, were seen slowly and cautiously
making their way toward Richmond, which city was promised to be
visited by them in a few days. The Federal vessels have perfectly
buoyed all the channels, so that every inch of water, and every foot
of sand-bar, are perfectly known to and noted by them. In a long
conversation, Captain Rogers, of the Port Royal, seemed sanguine of
Federal success, and thought that all farther resistance on our part
was unnecessary and futile. Our river batteries this Federal fleet
seem to look upon and treat with superb contempt, considering them
beneath his notice or attention. On his way down Lieut. Turner saw
and heard the magazine of a one-gun battery blow up, supposed to
have happened from orders of those in command.

On reaching Warwick bar, the point of
obstruction, our paroled prisoners were landed, and everything of
value being transferred to shore, the Curtis Peck, Northampton, and
gun boat Jamestown were scuttled, and sunk at that point. Yet Lieut.
Turner is of opinion that such impediments will prove of very
little, if any, obstruction to the progress of the Federals. At last
accounts, the Federal flotilla were reported below City Point, and
yesterday, 10 A.M., but one and a half mile from the landing there,
making their way cautiously and slowly towards our city.

We are greatly indebted to Lieut.
Turner for politeness, and particularly so for a copy of the New
York Herald, May 10th.